UT Federal Credit Union (UTFCU) has launched Mission in Motion, a new policy giving employees unlimited paid time during their regularly scheduled work hours to volunteer with community organizations and causes that matter to them. The program seeks to further the credit union’s mission to improve lives, financially and beyond.
Effective August 1, all 100+ employees of the Tennessee-based credit union can take advantage of the program. Unlike traditional employer volunteer programs that place an annual limit on paid volunteer hours, Mission in Motion does not set a maximum number of volunteer hours, provided employees coordinate their volunteer activities with their regular work responsibilities.
UTFCU believes it is the first credit union in Tennessee to offer unlimited paid volunteer time to its employees.
The program builds on UTFCU’s existing community service efforts through its Kindness Committee. Earlier this month, 12 employees participated in a cleanup along Liberty Street from Sutherland Avenue to Middlebrook Pike as part of the credit union’s new relationship with Keep Knoxville Beautiful.
“We wanted to create a benefit that removes one of the barriers to volunteering: having to choose between serving your community and using limited paid time,” said Hanna Gomez, Chief Marketing Officer and executive sponsor of UTFCU’s Kindness Committee. “We believe that community service should be encouraged, not limited. Mission in Motion gives
our employees the freedom to choose the causes that are meaningful to them and to participate in ways that fit their lives.”
Employees may volunteer independently with organizations they support, participate in opportunities organized through UTFCU’s Kindness Committee or coordinate volunteer days with their departments. Volunteer time will be tracked through the organization’s payroll system, helping the organization measure the program’s participation and community impact.
Volunteerism reflects the credit union philosophy of “people helping people.” Through its Kindness Committee, UTFCU regularly organizes community service activities including litter cleanups, food pantry service, first responder appreciation, veterans’ events and Habitat for Humanity projects.
“We trust our employees to know where their time and talents can make the greatest difference,” said Joy Wilson, Chief Human Resources Officer. “That’s the kind of investment we want to make in our employees and the communities we’re privileged to serve.”
